Oliver – A moose hunter has made a disturbing discovery in the woods east of Oliver.
Four feral horses were shot to death and left to be scavenged by carrion eaters.
Aaron Stelkia, who lives in the area and has been a horseman most of his life, says the horses likely came off Osoyoos Indian Band reserve land years ago.
But they don’t have owners now and fend for themselves.
He says the four horses may have been killed by trigger happy hunters.
“Nothing else to shoot at so they shoot them. They may feel they’re infringing on wildlife habitat.”
And Stelkia says it’s not the first time feral horses near Oliver have been shot for no good reason in recent years.
“If they take them and utilize them, even if they’re hungry and want to utilize them, that’s a whole different story. But just to shoot them and leave them, that’s pretty sick.”
Killing the horses may be a moral crime but it’s likely not a criminal act.
The Conservation Officer Service says feral horses in B.C. are not protected under the Wildlife Act or other statutes.
And because they don’t have owners, they’re not considered private property.
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